Power management apparatus for controlling consumption power and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the present invention relates to a power management apparatus, including a communication unit communicating with a power management network and a control unit determining a restricted power amount, determining a restricted power amount for an electronic device connected to the power management network, transmitting a power restriction request, including the restricted power amount, to the electronic device, receiving a response to the power restriction request, and controlling power consumed by the power management network on the basis of the received response.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power management apparatus forcontrolling an electronic device so that the electronic device isoperated within restricted power consumption by restricting theconsumption power of the electronic device and a method of controllingthe same.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

As energy saving and efficiency recently become problematic, theintroduction of a smart power grid (that is, a smart grid) for theefficiency of power in power consumers becomes a big issue. If the smartpower grid is introduced, a flexible rate system in which electric ratesis varied according to a power demand can be introduced.

In line with the trend, there is a need for the development oftechnology which can efficiently control a variety of electronic devicesused at homes in connection with the introduction of the smart grid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic deviceconfigured to receive a restriction request for power consumptionnecessary for an operation and operated according to operating powerdetermined on the basis of the request and a method of controlling thesame.

The technical objects to be achieved by the present invention are notlimited to the above-described object, and other technical objects thathave not been described above will be evident to those skilled in theart from the following description.

To achieve the above object, a power management apparatus according toan aspect of the present invention includes a communication unitcommunicating with a power management network and a control unitdetermining a (total) restricted power amount, determining a restrictedpower amount for an electronic device connected to the power managementnetwork, transmitting a power restriction request, including therestricted power amount, to the electronic device, receiving a responseto the power restriction request, and controlling power consumed by thepower management network on the basis of the received response.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda power management apparatus for controlling power consumption of apower management network comprising a plurality of electronic devices,including a display unit, a communication unit communicating with thepower management network, and a control unit displaying operations,performed in the plurality of electronic devices, through the displayunit and transmitting a control signal for degrading or stopping atleast one operation, selected from among the operations, to anelectronic device performing the selected at least one operation.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a power management apparatus for controlling power consumptionof a power management network comprising a plurality of electronicdevices, including a communication unit communicating with the powermanagement network and a control unit receiving a power reassignmentrequest from a first electronic device of the plurality of electronicdevice, selecting a second electronic device from among the plurality ofelectronic devices, on the basis of a required power and an assignedoperating power for each of the plurality of electronic devices, andtransmitting a power restriction request to the selected secondelectronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic construction of a smart grid;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power management network according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an energy management system connectedto the power management network according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of DTV which is one of electronic devicesconnected to the power management network;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the energymanagement system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a negotiation procedure performedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a user interface in which the energymanagement system queries a user about the order of priority;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a user interface in which the energymanagement system queries a user about an electronic device to bestopped;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an electronic deviceperforming a power restriction operation according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an electronic devicerequesting the reassignment of power according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an energy managementsystem checking power consumption of an electronic device connected to apower management network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above objects, characteristics, and merits of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Some embodiments of thepresent invention will now be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The same reference numerals designate the sameelements throughout the drawings. Further, detailed descriptions of nthe known functions or constructions will be omitted if they are deemedto make the gist of the present invention unnecessarily vague.

<General System Configuration>

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic construction of a smart grid.The smart grid includes a power plant for generating power throughthermal power generation, nuclear power generation, or waterpowergeneration and a solar lighting plant and a wind power plant forgenerating power by using solar lighting or wind power which is new andrenewable energy.

The thermal power plant, the nuclear power plant, or the waterpowerplant sends power to a power plant through power-transmission lines, andthe power plant sends electricity to a substation so that theelectricity may be assigned to consumers, such as homes or offices.

Further, electricity generated by new and renewable energy is sent to asubstation so that the electricity is assigned to each consumer. Theelectricity transmitted by the substation is assigned to offices orhomes via a power storage device.

A home using a Home Area Network (HAN) may also generate electricity byusing solar lighting or a fuel cell mounted in a Plug in Hybrid ElectricVehicle (PHEV) and supply the generated electricity. The remaining maybe sold externally.

An office or a home equipped with a smart measuring device or a smartserver or both may check power and electric rates, used by eachconsumer, in real time. A user may check the power and electric ratesbeing used on the basis of the checked power and electric rates andadopt proper means for reducing power consumption or electric ratesaccording to circumstances.

Meanwhile, the power plant, the power plant, the storage device, and theconsumer may bi-directionally communicate with each other. Accordingly,not only electricity may be one-sidedly supplied to the consumer, butalso electricity may be generated and assigned according tocircumstances of the consumer by informing the storage device, the powerplant, and the power plant of conditions of the consumer.

In the smart grid, an energy management system (EMS), being in change ofreal-time power management for the consumer and the real-timeexpectation of required power, and an advanced metering infrastructure(AMI), being in charge of the real-time metering of power consumption,play a pivotal role.

In the smart grid, the advance metering infrastructure (AMI) is a basictechnology intended to integrate consumers on the basis of an openarchitecture. The advance metering infrastructure (AMI) enables aconsumer to efficiently use electricity and provides a power supplierwith an ability to efficiently operate a system by detecting problems inthe system.

The open architecture, unlike in a common communication network, refersto a criterion in which all electric devices may be interconnected inthe smart grid system irrespective of whether the electric devices aremanufactured by which manufacturer.

Accordingly, the advance metering infrastructure (AMI) used in the smartgrid enables a consumer-friendly efficiency concept, such as “prices todevices.”

That is, a real-time price signal in the power market is relayed throughthe energy management system (EMS) installed at each home. The energymanagement system (EMS) controls the real-time price signal throughcommunication with each electric device. Accordingly, a user may checkpower information about each electric device, while seeing the energymanagement system (EMS), and perform power information processing, suchas power consumption or setting up an electric rate limit, on the basisof the power information, thereby being capable of reducing energy andcosts.

Here, the energy management system (EMS) may include local energymanagement systems (EMS) used in offices or homes and a central energymanagement system (EMS) configured to process pieces of information,combined by the local energy management systems (EMS), throughbidirectional communication with the local energy management systems(EMS). Meanwhile, in the present specification, the term ‘energymanagement system (EMS)’? is used, but the energy management system(EMS) may also be referred to as another terminology, such as a smartserver, a smart home server, a power management server, a home server,or a similar name.

In the smart grid, communication regarding power information between asupplier and a consumer may be performed in real time. Accordingly, a‘real-time power network response’ may be realized, and thus costsnecessary to satisfy a peak demand may be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power management network 10 at a homewhich is a major consumer of the smart grid.

The power management network 10 includes an advance meteringinfrastructure (AMI) smart meter 20 or an energy management system (EMS)30 which may in real time measure electric power, supplied to each home,and electric rates.

The electric rates may be billed on the basis of an hourly rate system.Hourly electric rates may be high in a time period in which powerconsumption is rapidly increased, and hourly electric rates may be lowin a late-night time period in which power consumption is relativelysmall.

The energy management system (EMS) 30 may be provided in the form of aterminal, including a screen 31 that displays a current electricityconsumption state and external environments (e.g., temperature andhumidity) and input buttons 32 that may be manipulated by a user.

The energy management system (EMS) 30 or the advance meteringinfrastructure (AMI) smart meter 20 is connected to consumer electronicdevices, such as digital television (DTV) 100, a refrigerator, a washingmachine, a drying machine, an air conditioner, an illumination device, alight shading control apparatus, a dish washer, cooking equipment, ahome server, and a personal computer, over a network within a home, andit may bi-directionally communicate with the electronic devices. Thatis, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may manage electric powerconsumed by the electronic devices included in the power managementnetwork 10 and supply electric power to the electronic devices. Theenergy management system (EMS) 30 may control the operations of theelectronic devices according to circumstances. For example, the energymanagement system (EMS) 30 may control the on/off states of theelectronic devices through the power management network 10. Meanwhile,in case where the electronic device is an air conditioner, the energymanagement system (EMS) 30 may control temperature, the amount of wind,the operating mode, etc. of the air conditioner.

Communication within a home may be performed in a wired or wireless way.For example, communication between the energy management system (EMS) 30and the electronic device may be performed through wirelesscommunication technology, such as zigbee, WiFi, or Bluetooth or may beperformed through wired communication technology, such as power linecommunication (PLC). The electronic devices may communicate with otherelectronic devices.

The power management network 10 includes an auxiliary power supply 50(that is, a self-generation facility 51, such as a solar lightinggeneration apparatus, and a storage battery 52 for accumulatingelectricity generated by the self-generation facility) provided at ahome.

In addition to the storage battery 52, a fuel cell 53 may also beconnected to the power management network 10, thereby being capable ofserving as the auxiliary power supply.

The auxiliary power supply 50 serves to supply electric power to a homein the state in which electric power is not supplied by an externalpower supply, such as a power company.

The amount of electric power supplied by the auxiliary power supply orthe amount of electric power charged in the auxiliary power supply 50may be displayed in the energy management system (EMS) 30 or the advancemetering infrastructure (AMI) 20.

<Configuration of Energy Management System (EMS)>

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the energy management system (EMS)connected to the power management network.

The energy management system (EMS) 30 may include a communication unit31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, a memory unit 34, a powersupply unit 35, and a control unit 36. The output unit 33 may include adisplay unit 33 a for outputting an image and a sound output unit 33 bfor outputting a sound.

The communication unit 31 may send and receive data to and fromelectronic devices inside the power management network 10 and externaldevices outside the power management network 10. For example, the energymanagement system (EMS) 30 may receive electric power informationpertinent to a smart grid including an electric rate telegraph(hereinafter referred to as ‘smart grid information’) from a powersupplier through the communication unit 31. Further, the communicationunit 31 may include one or more modules enabling communication betweenthe DTV 100 and the network (for example, the Internet).

The communication unit 31 may receive the smart grid information byusing a wire method (for example, Ethernet and PLC) or a wireless method(for example, zigbee).

For example, the communication unit 31 may receive the smart gridinformation by using various communication protocols, such as a wiredInternet, a wireless Internet, a mobile Internet, and a mobilecommunication network.

A source of the smart grid information, including the electric rateinformation, and a method of transmitting and receiving the smart gridinformation may be very various.

The input unit 32 generates input data that a user controls theoperation of the energy management system (EMS) 30 or data input by auser.

A method of implementing the input unit 32 is not specially limited. Akeypad method, a wheel key method, a touchpad method, a touch screenmethod, or a method of combining two or more of the above methods may bechiefly used as the method of implementing the input unit 32. Recently,the touch screen method is chiefly used with consideration taken ofincreased space utilization, a need for an enlarged display screen, anda design. In this case, the input unit 32 and the display unit 33 a maybe integrated into one.

The output unit 33 outputs various data. The output unit 33 generatesoutputs pertinent to a visual sensation or an auditory sensation and mayinclude the display unit 33 a and the sound output unit 33 b. The outputunit 33 may further include a haptic module for generating outputsrelated to a tactile sensation (for example, vibration).

The memory unit 34 stores data necessary to operate the energymanagement system (EMS) 30. For example, the memory unit 34 may storedata received through the communication unit 31 or data received throughthe input unit 32 or both.

The power supply unit 35 receives electric power from the external powersupply or the auxiliary power supply or both and supplies powernecessary for the operations of the components of the energy managementsystem (EMS) 30. The power supply unit 35 may further include a battery,disposed within the energy management system (EMS) 30, in addition tothe external power supply or the auxiliary power supply or both.

The control unit 36 generally controls the operation of the energymanagement system (EMS) 30. Further, the control unit 36 controls theoperations of the communication unit 31, the input unit 32, the outputunit 33, the memory unit 34, and the power supply unit 35.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the energy management system(EMS) 30 described above with reference to FIG. 3 performs a series ofoperations for controlling a variety of electronic devices (for example,a refrigerator, a washing machine, a drying machine, an air conditioner,an illumination device, a light shading control apparatus, a dishwasher, cooking equipment, a home server, or a personal computer),connected to the power management network 10, on the basis of the smartgrid information so that the electronic devices may consume restrictedpower. For example, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may perform anoperation of sending a power restriction request to the electronicdevices and receiving a corresponding response. A detailed method ofoperating the energy management system (EMS) 30 is described later.

Meanwhile, the electric power used in this specification refers to theamount of electric energy which is used per unit time, and it is assumedthat the electric power includes a concept of the amount of instantelectric power.

<Configuration of Electronic Device>

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of DTV which is one of the electronic devicesconnected to the power management network. The DTV 100 is illustrated inFIG. 4 as an example, and the operation of the DTV 100 is chieflydescribed. It is, however, evident to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be applied to other electronic devices other thanthe DTV 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, the DTV 100 may include a communication unit 101,an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a memory unit 104, a power supplyunit 105, and a control unit 106. The output unit 103 may include adisplay unit 103 a for outputting an image and a sound output unit 103 bfor outputting a sound.

The communication unit 101 may send and receive data to and from theenergy management system (EMS) 30 or other electronic devices, includedin the power management network 10, or both over the power managementnetwork 10. Further, the communication unit 101 may communicate withexternal electronic devices over a network different from the powermanagement network 10.

For example, the communication unit 101 may receive smart gridinformation from the energy management system (EMS) 30 or the externalelectronic devices by using a wire method (for example, Ethernet or PLC)or a wireless method (for example, zigbee). In other words, thecommunication unit 101 may receive the smart grid information by usingvarious communication protocols, such as a wire Internet, a wirelessInternet, a mobile Internet, or a mobile communication network.

The input unit 102 generates input data that a user controls theoperation of the DTV 100 or data input by a user. Like the input unit 32of the energy management system (EMS) 30, a method of implementing theinput unit 102 is not specially limited. A keypad method, a wheel keymethod, a touchpad method, a touch screen method, or a method ofcombining two or more of the above methods may be used as the method ofimplementing the input unit 102. Moreover, the DTV 100 may receive aninput signal through a remote controller, such as a space remotecontroller or a keypad remote controller.

The output unit 103 outputs various data. The output unit 103 generatesoutputs pertinent to a visual sensation or an auditory sensation and mayinclude the display unit 103 a and the sound output unit 103 b. Theoutput unit 103 may further include a haptic module for generatingoutputs related to a tactile sensation (for example, vibration).

The memory unit 104 stores data necessary to operate the DTV 100. Forexample, the memory unit 104 may store data received through thecommunication unit 101 or data received through the input unit 102 orboth.

The power supply unit 105 receives electric power from the externalpower supply or the auxiliary power supply or both and supplies electricpower necessary for the operations of the components of the DTV 100. Thepower supply unit 105 may further include a battery, disposed within theDTV 100, in addition to the external power supply or the auxiliary powersupply or both.

The control unit 106 generally controls the operation of the DTV 100.Further, the control unit 106 controls the operations of thecommunication unit 101, the input unit 102, the output unit 103, thememory unit 104, and the power supply unit 105.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the DTV 100 described abovewith reference to FIG. 4 performs a series of operations for receivinginformation about power restriction from the energy management system(EMS) 30 and controlling the operation of the DTV 100 within the rangeof restricted power determined on the basis of the received information,on the basis of the smart grid information.

For example, the DTV 100 may receive a power restriction request fromthe energy management system (EMS) 30 and send a response to the requestto the energy management system (EMS) 30 on the basis of the request anda current operation condition of the DTV 100. Further, the DTV 100 maycontrol the operations of the components (or modules) included thereinso that the components (or modules) may be properly operated within therange of operating power (i.e., restricted power) determined on thebasis of the request or the current operation condition of the DTV 100or both.

Hereinafter, the operation of an energy management system, theoperations of electronic devices connected to the energy managementsystem, and an interaction between the energy management system and theelectronic devices according to an embodiment of the present inventionare described in detail.

<Power Assignment Operation of Energy Management System>

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an energy managementsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter,although an implementation of the operation of the energy managementsystem according to the embodiment of the present invention is describedon the basis of the energy management system 30 described above withreference to FIG. 3, for convenience of description, a method ofoperating the energy management system according to according to theembodiment of the present invention is not limitedly applied to theenergy management system 30.

A series of operations of the energy management system assigningrestricted power to each of electronic devices are described below withreference to FIG. 5.

The energy management system 30 selects the amount of restricted powerthat may be consumed in the power management network 10 at step S100.This means that the energy management system 30 may select a total powerconsumption target level. The amount of restricted power may be definedby a total power consumption target level. That is, the energymanagement system 30 may select a restricted power value for the totalpower which may be consumed by not only the energy management system 30,but also various electronic devices included in the power managementnetwork 10. For example, assuming that one power management network 10is independently configured in each home, the amount of the restrictedpower may be a restriction value for the total power consumed by onehome.

[Criteria for Selecting Restricted Power]

In selecting the amount of the restricted power at step S100, the energymanagement system 30 may automatically select the amount of therestricted power by taking various criteria and policies or userrequirements or both into consideration or may select the amount of therestricted power by a user input. For example, the energy managementsystem 30 may select the amount of the restricted power in order toreduce electric rates in a high billing period and restrict powerconsumption by considering smart grid information received through thecommunication unit 31. In some embodiments, the energy management system30 may select the amount of the restricted power on the basis of datainputted by a user through the input unit 32. Criteria that the energymanagement system 30 selects the amount of the restricted power and apower restriction time are described in more detail below.

The energy management system 30 may select the amount of the restrictedpower inputted by a user. That is, the energy management system 30 maycontrol the operations of electronic devices so that the amount of therestricted power inputted by the user is not exceeded. Here, the usermay differently set up the amount of the restricted power according to atime zone. For example, a user may set up a great amount of restrictedpower in the morning time zone where power consumption is relativelygreat (e.g., a time zone for the preparation of breakfast and officeattendance) and in the evening time zone where power consumption isrelatively great (e.g., a time zone for the preparation of dinner and atime zone where TV viewing is much) and may set up a relatively smallamount of restricted power in the afternoon time zone where powerconsumption is relatively small (e.g., members of a family have gone towork). Accordingly, the energy management system 30 may check the amountof restricted power at a current time and control the operation of eachof electronic devices on the basis of the checked amount.

Meanwhile, the energy management system 30 may flexibly change theamount of restricted power every moment on the basis of predeterminedelectric charges for a predetermined period. In this case, the amount ofthe restricted power may be changed or determined by taking electriccharges (this value may be a value determined according to a flat sumsystem or a value requested by a user), electric charges to be paid sofar, the predetermined period, and/or current electric charges intoconsideration. For example, in case where a user has inputted and set up5 U.S. dollars as monthly electric rates, the energy management system30 may control the operations of electronic devices so that theelectronic devices consume electric power within the electric chargesinputted by the user. More particularly, in case where a user hasinputted 5 U.S. dollars as desired electric rates for only August, butelectric charges as of August 10, consumed since August 1, are 3 U.S.dollars, the energy management system 30 may determine the amount ofrestricted power less than that at normal times during the remainingdays of August and control electronic devices on the basis of thedetermined amount of restricted power. On the other hand, in case wherea user has inputted 5 U.S. dollars as desired electric rates for onlyAugust, but electric charges as of August 25, consumed since August 1,are 2 U.S. dollars, the energy management system 30 may determine theamount of restricted power greater than that at normal times during theremaining days of August and control electronic devices on the basis ofthe determined amount of restricted power.

In addition, it is evident to those skilled in the art that an algorithmin which the energy management system 30 may select the amount of therestricted power is very various. Accordingly, those skilled in the artmay change the algorithm in various ways in order to reduce the totalpower consumed by electronic devices belonging to a specific group.

Next, the energy management system 30 acquires a restricted device poweramount to be assigned to each of electronic devices included in thepower management network 10 within the range of the selected amount ofthe restricted device power at step S110. That is, the energy managementsystem 30 may obtain a power consumption target level for each of theelectronic device. The restricted device power amount may be defined bya power consumption target level for each of the electronic device.

In acquiring the restricted power amount for each electronic device atstep S110, the energy management system 30 may automatically select therestricted device power amount for each electronic device withconsideration taken of various criteria and policies or userrequirements or both or may select restricted power inputted by a user.

For example, the energy management system 30 may analyze the past powerusage pattern of electronic devices connected to the power managementnetwork 10, when the amount of the restricted power is selected, andacquire a restricted power amount for each electronic device which willbe assigned to the electronic device on the basis of the analysisresult.

An algorithm in which the energy management system 30 acquires therestricted power amount for each electronic device by analyzing thepower usage pattern of the electronic devices may be very various. Forexample, a mean power value used by an electronic device in the past maybe determined as the restricted power amount for the electronic device.In some embodiments, a past mean power value corresponding to the periodto which a current time belongs may be determined as the restrictedpower amount for the electronic device. In some embodiments, the energymanagement system 30 may check an operation being now performed in theelectronic device and determine mean power consumption, used to performthe operation in the past, as the restricted power amount for theelectronic device.

In acquiring the restricted power amount for each electronic device, theenergy management system 30 may further perform an operation ofidentifying electronic devices consuming electric power (for example,electronic devices that are being turned on), from among electronicdevices connected to the power management network 10.

The energy management system 30 may further perform an operation ofchecking whether there is an electronic device that is now turned off,but has to perform a scheduled operation in the time period to which theamount of the restricted power is applied. Here, the energy managementsystem 30 may acquire the restricted power amount for each electronicdevice with consideration taken of a restricted power amount to beassigned to an electronic device which must perform a scheduledoperation.

Next, the energy management system 30 sends a power restriction request,including the acquired restricted power amount, to a correspondingelectronic device at step S120. The power restriction request may besent in the form of a message. The power restriction request may bewritten in the XML-based text format.

The power restriction request is to request that the correspondingelectronic device be operated under restricted power. The electronicdevice which has received the power restriction request may determineoperating power on which the electronic device will be operated withreference to the restricted power amount in the power restrictionrequest. If the operating power is determined, the electronic devicemust be operated within the range of the determined operating power,unless special circumstances occur.

In response to the power restriction request, the electronic devicesends a response to the energy management system 30 by taking therestricted power amount, included in the power restriction request, intoconsideration. A detailed operation of the electronic device accordingto the reception of the power restriction request is described later.

The energy management system 30 receives the response from theelectronic device which has received the power restriction request atstep S130. The response may include an acceptance response and arejection response. The acceptance response and the rejection responseare described in detail later.

Next, the energy management system 30 determines whether the response isthe acceptance response or the rejection response at step S140.

If, as a result of the determination, the response is the acceptanceresponse, the energy management system 30 terminates the restrictedpower assignment operation with the electronic device. It does not meanthat all the operations of the energy management system 30 areterminated. In case where restricted power assignment operation withother electronic devices is not terminated, the energy management system30 may continue to perform the restricted power assignment operationwith other electronic devices.

However, if, as a result of the determination, the response is therejection response, the energy management system 30 performs a series ofnegotiation procedures for assigning restricted power to the electronicdevice at step S150. The negotiation procedures performed by the energymanagement system 30 are described in detail later.

Although the energy management system 30 is illustrated to send thepower restriction request to one electronic device, the energymanagement system 30 may send the power restriction request to aplurality of electronic devices connected to the power managementnetwork 10, as described above. The transmission of the powerrestriction request from the energy management system 30 to theplurality of electronic devices may be performed in a bundle orsequentially. For example, the energy management system 30 may determinea restricted power amount for each electronic device with respect to aplurality of electronic devices and then send the power restrictionrequest to the electronic devices at a time. In some embodiments, incase where a restricted power amount for one electronic device isdetermined, the energy management system 30 may first send a powerrestriction request to the one electronic device without waiting for thedetermination of a restricted power amount for each of other electronicdevices.

The power assignment operation of the energy management system accordingto the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Anoperation of an electronic device being operated according to arestricted power amount assigned thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention is described below.

<Power Assignment Operation of Electronic Device>

How each electronic device is operated according to a series ofoperations of the energy management system assigning restricted power toeach of electronic devices is described below with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although animplementation of the operation of the electronic device according tothe embodiment of the present invention is described below in connectionwith the DTV 100 with reference to FIG. 4, for convenience ofdescription, the method of operating the electronic device according tothe embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the DTV 100,but may be applied to other electronic devices.

The DTV 100 receives a power restriction request from the energymanagement system 30 according to the above-described step S120, at stepS200.

The DTV 100 compares a restricted power amount, included in the powerrestriction request, and required power necessary for its currentcondition at step S210.

The restricted power amount for the DTV 100 is a restricted power amountassigned to the DTV 100, as described above.

The required power refers to power consumption necessary for theoperation of the DTV 100. Meanwhile, the operation of comparing therestricted power amount and the required power corresponds to anoperation performed by the DTV 100 in order to select an operatingpower. In this specification, the required power and the operating powerhave different concepts.

The required power may be determined by various criteria. The variouscriteria are described in more detail below.

[Determining Required Power]

In case where the DTV 100 is performing a predetermined operation at therequest of a user, the control unit 106, or the energy management system30, the required power may be determined as electric power consumed toperform the requested operation.

For example, in case where the DTV 100 is displaying a ‘movie A’ throughthe display unit 103 a at the request of a user, if power consumptionnecessary to display the ‘movie A’ is X, the DTV 100 may determine therequired power as X.

Meanwhile, the required power may be determined as electric powerconsumed to perform an operating mode set up in the DTV 100 at therequest of a user, the control unit 106, or the energy management system30.

For example, in case where the DTV 100 is outputting ‘Music B’ throughthe sound output unit 103 b under the control of the energy managementsystem 30 and is set up in a ‘Maximum power-saving mode’ at the requestof a user and operating, if power consumption necessary to output ‘MusicB’ is Y and a value set to electric power consumed to operate the‘Maximum power-saving mode’ is Z (where Z is assumed to be greater thanY), the DTV 100 may determine the required power as Z. In this case,assuming that an algorithm in which the DTV 100 determines requiredpower gives the order of priority to required power consumed to operatethe operating mode, the required power is determined as Z. Accordingly,if an algorithm in which the DTV 100 determines required power isdifferent from the above, the DTV 100 may determine the required poweras Y.

The operation of the DTV 100 is described below with reference to FIG.6. If, as a result of the comparison at step S210, the restricted poweramount is the required power or higher, the step S220 is performed. If,as a result of the comparison at step S210, the restricted power amountis less than the required power, step S250 is performed.

First, a case where the restricted power amount is the required power orhigher is described below.

If the restricted power amount is the required power or higher, the DTV100 determines its own operating power at step S220. The operating poweris determined on the basis of the restricted power amount and therequired power. When the operating power is determined, the DTV 100 mustbe operated within the range of the determined operating power, unlessspecial circumstances occur. In other words, the DTV 100 must controlthe operation of each of the components (or modules), constituting theDTV 100, so that electric power consumed by the components does notexceed the determined operating power.

[Determining Operating Power]

If the restricted power for the DTV 100 is the required power or higher,the DTV 100 may determine the operating power on the basis of variouscriteria.

First, the DTV 100 may determine the operating power having the samevalue as the restricted power amount. In case where current requiredpower is less than a restricted power amount, but electric power greaterthan the current required power is expected to be required in thefuture, the DTV 100 may make the decision. In some embodiments, in casewhere current required power is less than a restricted power amount, butan operation request made by a user is determined to be irregular or anoperation execution request made by a user is determined to be frequent,the DTV 100 may make the decision in order to secure redundant powernecessary to perform an additional operation requested by the user.

For example, assuming that the restricted power amount is A and powernecessary for an operation (for example, the display of ‘AAB News’ ofthe DTV 100 is B (B<A), in case where a current operation is terminatedand the execution of another operation (for example, the display andrecording of ‘Movie D’ is scheduled by a user, if electric powernecessary to execute another operation is C greater than B, the DTV 100may determine the operating power as A in order to secure electric powernecessary to perform the scheduled operation.

Second, the DTV 100 may determine the operating power to have the samevalue as the required power. In case where more electric power thancurrent electric power is not expected to be consumed in the future, theDTV 100 may make such decision.

Third, the DTV 100 may determine the operating power as one valuebetween the required power and a restricted power amount assigned to theDTV 100. For example, in the above example, in case where the electricpower C necessary to perform the scheduled operation is greater than theelectric power B necessary for the current operation being executed, butless than the restricted power amount A, the DTV 100 may determine therequired power as C (where C is less than the restricted power amount A,but greater than the current electric power B). In addition, the DTV 100may determine the operating power as one value between the requiredpower and the restricted power amount in various ways by taking someconditions and the past power consumption pattern into consideration.

In case where the restricted power amount is the required power orhigher, the DTV 100 sends a response to the power restriction request atstep S230. In this case, the response sent by the DTV 100 is anacceptance response. The acceptance response may perform a function ofinforming the energy management system 30 that the DTV 100 hasdetermined operating power in response to the power restriction request.

The acceptance response may include required power or operating powerdetermined by the DTV 100. In case where the required power and theoperating power are included in the acceptance response and transmitted,the energy management system 30 may use the required power and theoperating power when subsequently performing a negotiation procedurewith other electronic devices in a process of assigning a restrictedpower amount to each electronic device. This is described in detaillater.

Next, the DTV 100 performs a power restriction operation on the basis ofthe determined operating power so that electric power consumed by theoperation of the DTV 100 does not exceed the determined operating powerat step S240. For controlling the power restriction operation, the DTV100 may control at least one of a current value and a voltage value.

A case in which the restricted power for the DTV 100 is less than therequired power is described below.

If, as a result of the comparison at step S210, the restricted poweramount is less than the required power, the DTV 100 sends a response tothe power restriction request at step S250. In this case, the responseis a rejection response. The rejection response may perform a functionof informing the energy management system 30 that the DTV 100 hasrejected the power restriction request.

The rejection response may include the required power determined by theDTV 100. The rejection response may further include the order ofpriority given to an operation which is being performed by the DTV 100.In case where the required power or the order of priority is included inthe rejection response and transmitted, the energy management system 30may use the required power or the order of priority when performing aseries of processes for subsequently reassigning a restricted poweramount to the DTV 100.

In case where the rejection response is transmitted, the DTV 100temporarily performs a power restriction operation at step S260. Forexample, the DTV 100 may determine the determined required power as theoperating power and control its own operation on the basis of theoperating power. In other words, the operation of the DTV 100 may betemporarily controlled so that the DTV 100 does not use electric powerhigher than current electric power that is now being used.

Furthermore, the DTV 100 may wait for until a re-power restrictionrequest is received from the energy management system 30 at step S270.When the re-power restriction request is received, the DTV 100 mayreturn to the step S210 and perform a series of the operations again.

<Negotiation Procedure>

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the operation ofthe energy management system 30 restricting electric power, consumed byeach of electronic devices, by sending a power restriction request toeach of the electronic devices has been described above. If all theelectronic devices accept the power restriction request, the powerassignment procedure may be smoothly completed, but some of theelectronic devices may reject the power restriction request as describedabove. A negotiation procedure for assigning electric power to some ofelectronic devices in case where some of the electronic devices reject apower restriction request is described below.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a negotiation procedure performedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the energy management system (EMS) hasselected 500 as the restricted power amount at step S100 and acquired300 and 200 for a first electronic device DEVICE A and a secondelectronic device DEVICE B, respectively at step S110. Furthermore, FIG.7 shows that the first electronic device DEVICE A has determined his ownrequired power as 250 and the second electronic device DEVICE B hasdetermined his own required power as 250, on the basis of theabove-described predetermined criteria.

In this case, first, the energy management system (EMS) may send a powerrestriction request, including 300 (i.e., a restriction value determinedfor the first electronic device DEVICE A), to the first electronicdevice DEVICE A. In response thereto, the first electronic device DEVICEA may send an acceptance response to the energy management system (EMS)as described above. This is because the assignment value for the firstelectronic device DEVICE A is greater than the required power value 200determined by the first electronic device DEVICE A. In this case, theenergy management system (EMS) may consider that the assignment of therestricted power amount to the first electronic device DEVICE A issuccessful. Here, the acceptance response may include the required powerdetermined by the first electronic device DEVICE A.

Next, the energy management system (EMS) may send a power restrictionrequest, including 200 (i.e., a restriction value determined for thesecond electronic device DEVICE B), to the second electronic deviceDEVICE B. It is not required that the energy management system ESM senda power restriction request to the second electronic device DEVICE Bafter receiving the response from the first electronic device DEVICE A.The transmission of the power restriction request to the firstelectronic device DEVICE A and the second electronic device DEVICE B andthe reception of the responses therefrom may be performed in parallel.In response to the power restriction request, the second electronicdevice DEVICE B may send a rejection response to the energy managementsystem (EMS), as described above. This is because the assignment valuefor the second electronic device DEVICE B is less than the requiredpower value 250 determined by the second electronic device DEVICE B. Inthis case, the energy management system (EMS) may consider that theassignment of the restricted power amount to the second electronicdevice DEVICE B is unsuccessful. Here, the rejection response mayinclude the required power determined by the second electronic deviceDEVICE B. The rejection response may further include the order ofpriority given to one or more of operations which are being performed inthe second electronic device DEVICE B.

In case where the rejection response is received in response to thepower restriction request as described above, the energy managementsystem (EMS) may secure redundant power in order to further assign theshortage 50 to the second electronic device DEVICE B or, in case wherethe redundant power is not secured, may control the second electronicdevice DEVICE B so that the second electronic device DEVICE B isoperated according to the restriction value for the second electronicdevice DEVICE B by stopping a current operation or degrading the qualityof a current operation.

The energy management system (EMS) may check whether the redundant powerto be assigned to the second electronic device DEVICE B may be secured.In order to check whether the redundant power may be secured, the energymanagement system (EMS) may refer to the required power included in theacceptance response. For example, the energy management system (EMS) mayknow that the redundant power 50 may be secured from the firstelectronic device DEVICE A with reference to the restriction valueassigned to the first electronic device DEVICE A and the required powerreceived from the first electronic device DEVICE A.

The energy management system (EMS) may send a power restriction requestto the first electronic device DEVICE A again. Here, the restrictionvalue for the first electronic device DEVICE A, included in the powerrestriction request, may be 250. In other words, when assigning electricpower to the first electronic device DEVICE A again, the energymanagement system (EMS) may request the first electronic device DEVICE Ato determine the required power, received from the first electronicdevice DEVICE A, as the restriction value for the first electronicdevice DEVICE A. Next, the energy management system (EMS) may receive anacceptance response from the first electronic device DEVICE A, unlessspecial circumstances occur (for example, a case where required powerhas bee abruptly increased after a previous acceptance response).Accordingly, the energy management system (EMS) may secure the redundantpower to be assigned to the second electronic device DEVICE B.

In order to assign electric power to the second electronic device DEVICEB again, the energy management system (EMS) may send a power restrictionrequest to the second electronic device DEVICE B. Here, a restrictionvalue for the second electronic device DEVICE B, included in the powerrestriction request, may be 250 which has risen from the existingrestriction value 200 and to which the redundant power 50 secured fromthe first electronic device DEVICE A during the above process has beenadded. Accordingly, the energy management system (EMS) may receive anacceptance response from the second electronic device DEVICE B.

Meanwhile, when the energy management system (EMS) first assigns therestriction value 300 for the first electronic device DEVICE A to thefirst electronic device DEVICE A, the first electronic device DEVICE Amay determine operating power as 250 (i.e., the required power) and sendthe determined operating power, together with the acceptance response,as described above. In this case, if a rejection response is receivedfrom the second electronic device DEVICE B, the energy management system(EMS) may immediately perform a power re-assignment procedure for thesecond electronic device DEVICE B without performing a powerre-assignment procedure for the first electronic device DEVICE A. Thisis because the energy management system (EMS) has already known that theredundant power 50 has been secured in virtue of the active operation ofthe first electronic device DEVICE A.

It has been described that the energy management system (EMS) usesrequired power for each electronic device, included in an acceptanceresponse, in order to determine whether redundant power may be secured.However, in case where redundant power needs to be secured, the energymanagement system (EMS) may send a message, requesting a plurality ofelectronic devices included in the power management network 10 toresponse to required power actually being used in the electronic device,to the electronic devices. Here, the message may be sent in abroadcasting manner.

Although the execution of the negotiation procedure according to theembodiment of the present invention has been described above withreference to FIG. 7 assuming that the number of electronic devices is 2,those skilled in the art will appreciate that redundant power may besecured by using a method similar to the above negotiation procedure incase where the number of electronic devices is three or more.Furthermore, the negotiation procedure according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, described above with reference to FIG. 7, may beperformed in case where electric power that may be applied to oneelectronic device is insufficient. A trigger to perform the negotiationprocedure is not limited thereto. That is, it is not required that thenegotiation procedure be performed only in case where one electronicdevice sends a rejection response in response to a power restrictionrequest.

For example, the negotiation procedure may be performed in case where anew electronic device joins the power management network 10 and electricpower has to be assigned to the new electronic device. Moreover, theenergy management system (EMS) may perform the negotiation procedure incase where an electronic device to which electric power has already beenassigned requests the assignment of more electric power because aspecial circumstance has occurred.

<Power Assignment Procedure in Case where Negotiation Procedure isUnsuccessful>

There may be a case where a negotiation procedure has been performedbetween the energy management system and electronic devices, butredundant power to be sufficiently assigned to an electronic devicewhich has sent a rejection response is not secured. In other words,there may be a case where a negotiation procedure has been performed,but results in a failure.

In this case, the energy management system 30 may perform the followingforced assignment procedure.

First, the energy management system 30 may query a user about the orderof priority of power assigned to each electronic device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a user interface in which the energymanagement system queries a user about the order of priority. Referringto FIG. 8, the energy management system 30 displays a window W1displaying a list of electronic devices now being operated or expectedto be operated in the future, along with a sentence requesting a user todetermine and input the order of priority, on the display unit 33 a. Thewindow W1 matches a list of electronic devices with current operationkinds or scheduled operation kinds of the electronic devices and briefdescriptions of the operations thereof. The user may select theimportance of each operation with reference to the information about theelectronic devices and operations thereof, while seeing the window W1.

The user interface of the energy management system 30, provided to theuser so that the user may select the importance of an operation throughthe energy management system 30, may be very various.

For example, the user interface may be provided to the user so that theuser may sequentially select the order of priorities of the operations.

In some embodiments, there may be provided a user interface in which auser may input which priority order will be assigned to each operation,from among predetermined priority orders. That is, a user may input theorder of priority per operation by inputting the order of priority sothat each operation belongs to a specific priority order, from among theorder of priorities classified into the first priority to the fourthpriority. A description corresponding to each priority order may beprovided to the corresponding priority order. For example, adescription, such as ‘an operation that must now be performed and notallowed for degradation of the quality’ may be provided to the firstpriority, a description, such as ‘an operation that must now beperformed and allowed for degradation of the quality’ may be provided tothe second priority, a description, such as ‘an operation that needs notto be performed now, but needs to be operated again subsequently’ may beprovided to the third priority, and a description, such as ‘an operationthat needs not to be performed now, but also needs not to be operatedagain subsequently’ may be provided to the fourth priority. It is to benoted that the classification of the priorities is not limited thereto,but may be changed in various ways.

The energy management system 30 may request degradation of the qualityin an operation, the stop of the operation, or both from each ofelectronic devices in relation to some of operations being operated inthe electronic device with consideration taken of selected or inputtedimportance (or the order of priority) through the window W1 or the userinterface or both. Redundant power obtained because of degradation ofthe quality in the operation, the stop of the operation, or both may beused as a restricted power amount for each electronic device, requestedin the above negotiation procedure.

An algorithm in which the energy management system 30 will degrade whichoperation (or an operation of which electronic device) and degrade theoperation to what extent if the operation is degraded, or will stopwhich operation may be very various.

If the energy management system 30 degrades the operation quality ofeach electronic device or stops the operation of its own accord eventhough it is operated on the basis of importance inputted or selected bya user, unexpected inconvenience may lead to the user. For example,there may be a case where, during the time for which a user watches amovie through the DTV 100, the screen size of the movie or the volume ofthe movie, displayed in the DTV 100, is greatly reduced in response toan operation degradation request made by the energy management system30. In this case, the user may feel inconvenience.

For the above reason, it would be more convenient to a user if theenergy management system 30 allows the user to select an operationallowed to stop operating in each electronic device, rather than toselect importance or the order of priority for an operation in eachelectronic device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a user interface in which the energymanagement system queries a user about an electronic device to bestopped. Referring to FIG. 9, the energy management system 30 displays awindow W2 displaying a list of electronic devices now being operated orexpected to be operated in the future, along with a sentence requestinga user to input an operation to be stopped, on the display unit 33 a.Furthermore, information about redundant power that must be secured nowmay be provided to a user. The window W2 matches a list of electronicdevices with current operation kinds or scheduled operation kinds of theelectronic devices and brief descriptions of the operations thereof. Theuser may select the importance of each operation with reference to theinformation about the electronic devices and operations thereof, whileseeing the window W1. Further, the window W2 may display electric powerconsumed by each operation. In some embodiments, in case where anoperation to be stopped is selected, a check box for receiving a choiceabout whether the stopped operation will be restarted when redundantpower is subsequently secured may be further provided in the window W2.A user may select an operation to be stopped in the window W2 withreference to various electronic devices, power consumption informationabout the electronic devices, and information about redundant power tobe secured.

The user interface of the energy management system 30, provided to auser, so that the user may select the importance of an operation throughthe energy management system 30 may be very various.

In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the energymanagement system 30 is illustrated to display all pieces ofinformation. However, the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiments in which all the pieces of information are displayed in theenergy management system 30. For example, the pieces of information maybe displayed through the DTV 100 connected to the power managementnetwork 10. In some embodiments, the pieces of information may bedisplayed through a general-purpose computer connected to the powermanagement network 10. Accordingly, a user may receive and inputinformation through a more convenient user interface with a largerscreen. It is also to be noted that the present invention is not limitedto the display of the pieces of information, and the pieces ofinformation may be output as a sound.

The process of assigning the restricted power amount for each electronicdevice, selected by the energy management system 30 and assigned to thepower management network 10, to each of the electronic devices throughan interaction between the energy management system 30 and theelectronic devices has been described above.

Hereinafter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,how an electronic device is operated within the range of a restrictedpower amount assigned thereto (that is, how the power restrictionoperation is performed) is described in detail.

<Power Restriction Operation of Electronic Device>

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an electronic deviceperforming the power restriction operation according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. An implementation of the powerrestriction operation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is described in connection with the DTV 100 described withreference to FIG. 4, for convenience of description, but the method ofan electronic device performing the power restriction operationaccording to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited tothe DTV 100.

According to the first embodiment, the DTV 100 controls its ownoperation so that the total operating power is not exceeded. The DTV 100continues to check power consumption. If the power consumption exceedsthe operating power while checking, the DTV 100 may expect power foreach component (or module) consumed to perform an operation, assign theexpected electric power to the component, and degrade the performance ofthe operation of the component on the basis of the assigned electricpower.

Referring to FIG. 10, the DTV 100 determines operating power asdescribed above at step S300.

The DTV 100 determines whether its own power consumption exceeds thedetermined operating power, while checking the power consumption, atstep S310. The checking operation of the DTV 100 may be performed inreal time or may be performed periodically.

If, as a result of the determination, the power consumption exceeds theoperating power during the checking operation, the DTV 100 analyzes anoperation that is being performed or that has been requested to beperformed at step S320. For example, the DTV 100 may determine whetherthe corresponding operation is to watch video contents such as a storedmovie, to watch video contents such as TV broadcasting, to record videocontents, to listen to sound contents such as music received through abroadcasting signal, or to perform Internet browsing.

The DTV 100 determines components (or modules) necessary for theoperation on the basis of the analyzed result at step S330. For example,in case where the operation is to watch stored video contents, the DTV100 may determine that the memory unit 104, the output unit 103, theinput unit 102, and the control unit 106 are components necessary forthe operation. For another example, in case where the operation is tooutput sound contents through a broadcasting signal, the DTV 100 maydetermine that the communication unit 101, the sound output unit 103 b,the input unit 102 and the control unit 106 are components necessary forthe operation.

The DTV 100 assigns electric power to the determined components percomponent at step S340. For example, the DTV 100 may assign electricpower to each of components used to perform the analyzed operation byanalyzing the past power consumption pattern of the component.

In case where the power supply unit 105 of the DTV 100 includes abattery, the DTV 100 may control the operating power so that theoperating power is not assigned to the battery. That is, the DTV 100 maycontrol the operating power so that the operating power is not consumedto charge the battery. If a requested operation is to charge thebattery, the DTV 100 may control the operating power so that theoperating power is consumed to only charge the battery.

The DTV 100 properly assigns the operating power to the components percomponent and controls the components so that each of the components isoperated within the range of the power assigned thereto at step S350.

There may be a case where the total amount of power for each componentassigned through pattern analysis exceeds the operating power. In thiscase, the DTV 100 may induce the performance of an operation of thecorresponding component to be degraded. For example, in case wherecontents are displayed through the display unit 103 a, assuming thatelectric power of 500 is consumed in the case of a normal and commonoperation, the DTV 100 may assign electric power of 400 (i.e., power foreach component) to the display unit 103 a. In this case, the displayunit 103 a may reduce electric power consumed by itself by reducing thebrightness or size of the contents displayed in the display unit 103 a.

The DTV 100 may check power consumed by itself in real time, whileperforming the above-described power restriction operation. That is, theDTV 100 may continue to perform the step 310. In other words, the DTV100 continues to check power consumption in real time. If the powerconsumption exceeds operating power while checking, the DTV 100 analyzesan operation, determines electric power to be assigned to each componenton the basis of the analyzed operation, and assigns the determined powerto a corresponding component. As described above, the DTV 100 maycontrol a requested operation so that the requested operation isperformed within the range of the operating power assigned to the DTV100. That is, the DTV 100 may dynamically control electric powerassigned to each component according to circumstances in response to therequested operation.

Meanwhile, the DTV 100 may first assign operating power, assignedthereto, to components (or modules) and then control the components sothat each of the components is operated within the range of powerassigned to a corresponding component.

[Reassignment Request]

Meanwhile, in case where an electronic device including the DTV 100determines that it may not perform a requested operation within therange of the operating power while performing the above-described powerrestriction operation, the electronic device may request thereassignment of power from the energy management system (EMS) 30.

Hereinafter, a procedure of the electronic device requesting thereassignment of power from the energy management system (EMS) 30 isdescribed in detail.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an electronic devicerequesting the reassignment of power according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the DTV 100 receives a predetermined operationrequested by a user or an external device including the energymanagement system (EMS) 30 at step S400.

The DTV 100 may check whether it is operated within the range ofdetermined operating power as described above at step S410. That is, theDTV 100 determines whether power consumed by the requested operationexceeds the operating power at step S410.

If, as a result of the determination, the consumption power exceeds theoperating power, the DTV 100 may query the user about whether therequested operation must be performed at step S420 and receive aresponse thereto from the user.

If, as a result of the query at step S420, the requested operation needsnot to be necessarily performed, the DTV 100 may output a message,informing that the requested operation may not be performed because of apower restriction operation, through the output unit 103 at step S430.At the same time, the DTV 100 may disregard the requested operation andcheck the power restriction operation again.

However, if, as a result of the query at step S420, the requestedoperation needs to be necessarily performed, the DTV 100 may query theuser about whether the performance of the requested operation is allowedto be degraded at step S440 and receive a response thereto from theuser.

If, as a result of the query at step S440, the performance of therequested operation is allowed to be degraded, the DTV 100 performs therequested operation on the basis of degraded performance at step S450.For example, in case where watching video contents has been requestedthrough the DTV 100, the DTV 100 may output the video contents, butoutput the video contents with a reduced brightness, size, or soundvolume.

However, if, as a result of the query at step S440, the performance ofthe requested operation is not allowed to be degraded, the DTV 100requests the energy management system (EMS) 30 to reassign power theretoat step S460. That is, the DTV 100 determines that the requestedoperation must be performed and requests the energy management system 30to reassign power necessary to perform the requested operation.

In order to request the reassignment of power, the DTV 100 may send apower reassignment request to the energy management system 30. The powerreassignment request may include power necessary for the requestedoperation. The power reassignment request may further includeinformation about the order of priority given to the requestedoperation.

In response to the power reassignment request, the energy managementsystem 30 may secure redundant power by performing the above-describednegotiation procedure on the basis of the power necessary to perform therequested operation or the information about the order of priority orboth. Next, the energy management system 30 may send a power assignmentrequest to the DTV 100 and reassign the secured redundant power to theDTV 100.

Accordingly, the DTV 100 is operated according to the power assignmentoperation and the power restriction operation of an electronic device.

Hereinafter, a method of the energy management system (EMS) monitoringpower consumption according to an embodiment of the present invention isdescribed.

In the embodiments of the present invention described with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, the method of an electronic device monitoring andcontrolling its power consumption has been described. In other words, aprocedure in which the electronic device controls its operation so thatthe operation is performed within the range of power assigned theretoand, if power exceeding the assigned power is required, requests thereassignment of power from the energy management system (EMS) 30 hasbeen described. Hereinafter, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention, a method of the energy management system (EMS)monitoring power consumed by each of electronic devices and controllingthe power is described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an energy managementsystem checking power consumption of an electronic device connected to apower management network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. It is hereinafter assumed that the electronic device is theDTV 100, for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 12, the energy management system (EMS) 30 acquirespower consumed by the DTV 100 connected to the power management network10 at step S500.

The power consumption of the DTV 100 may be measured by the DTV 100 andtransmitted to the energy management system (EMS) 30. Alternatively, theenergy management system (EMS) 30 may directly measure or calculate orboth the power consumed by the DTV 100.

In the former case, the DTV 100 may be equipped with a measuringinstrument for measuring the power consumption. Alternatively, a smartmeter connected to the power source unit 105 of the DTV 100 may measurethe power consumption. For example, a smart meter connected between anelectric outlet for supplying power and the plug of the power sourceunit 105 may measure power consumed by the DTV 100. The measured valuemay be transmitted to the energy management system (EMS) 30 over thepower management network 10.

The energy management system (EMS) 30 monitors power consumed by the DTV100 on the basis of the acquired power consumption. That is, the energymanagement system (EMS) 30 may determine whether the power consumptionof the DTV 100 exceeds operating power assigned to the DTV 100 at stepS510.

The operating power assigned to the DTV 100 may be acquired through theabove-described response to a power restriction request. If operatingpower determined by the DTV 100 is not included in the response to thepower restriction request, the energy management system (EMS) 30 mayacquire the operating power, assigned to the DTV 100, through anadditional request.

If, as a result of the determination at step S510, the consumption powerexceeds the operating power during the monitoring operation, the processproceeds to step S520. However, if, as a result of the determination atstep S510, the consumption power does not exceed the operating power,the process returns to the step S500 in which the energy managementsystem (EMS) continues to monitor power consumed by the DTV 100 in realtime.

The energy management system (EMS) 30 determines whether power needs tobe reassigned to the DTV 100 at step S520. For example, in order to makethe determination, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may acquireinformation about an operation now being performed in the DTV 100,output a screen, querying a user about whether the operation now beingperformed in the DTV 100 is necessarily required, through the displayunit 33 a, and receive a response to the query from the user. In someembodiments, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may check whetherpower needs to be assigned to the DTV 100 by outputting the above queryscreen to the DTV 100 through the display unit 103 a of the DTV 100 andrequesting the DTV 100 to receive the response to the query from theuser and to send the response to the energy management system (EMS) 30.If the power reassignment request in the step S460 described withreference to FIG. 11 is received from the DTV 100 before performing thestep S520, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may check whether powerneeds to be reassigned to the DTV 100.

If, as a result of the determination at step S520, the power needs to bereassigned, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may perform a powerreassignment procedure at step S530. In this case, the powerreassignment procedure may be performed by using the same or similarmethod as the power reassignment procedure described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 9.

However, if, as a result of the determination at step S520, the powerneeds not to be reassigned, the energy management system (EMS) 30controls the operation of the DTV 100 at step S540. For example, theenergy management system (EMS) 30 may request the DTV 100 to stop atleast one of operations now being performed. In some embodiments, theenergy management system (EMS) 30 may request the DTV 100 to perform thepower restriction operation with reference to FIG. 10 again.

Accordingly, the energy management system (EMS) 30 may actively monitorpower consumed in the power management network 10 and properly controlthe operations of electronic devices connected to the power managementnetwork 10.

The various embodiments described in this document may be implementedwithin a medium which may be read by a computer or a similar device byusing, for example, software, hardware, or a combination of them.

According to hardware implementations, the embodiments described in thisdocument may be implemented by using at least one of ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs),Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPD), Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,microprocessors, and an electronic unit designed to perform a function.

According to software implementations, the embodiments, such asprocedures or functions, may be implemented along with a separatesoftware module configured to perform at least one function oroperation. Software codes may be implemented by using a softwareapplication written in a proper program language. Further, the softwarecodes may be stored in the memory unit and executed by the control unit.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A power management apparatus, comprising: a communication unitconfigured to communicate with a power management network within abuilding or within one or more rooms of a building; and a control unitoperatively connected to the communication unit, the control unitconfigured to: determine a total power consumption target level for thepower management network, determine a first power consumption targetlevel for a first consumer electronic device connected to the powermanagement network, the first power consumption target level being equalto or less than the total power consumption target level, transmit, tothe first consumer electronic device, a first power restriction commandincluding the first power consumption target level, determine whetherthe first consumer electronic device has sent an acceptance responseincluding an operating power or a rejection response including arequired power based on a result of comparing the first powerconsumption target level with a level of the required power, and supplythe operating power to the first consumer electronic device based on theacceptance response or perform a negotiation procedure with a pluralityof consumer electronic devices to secure redundant power in order toincrease power to be assigned to the first consumer electronic devicebased on the rejection response, wherein the plurality of consumerelectronic devices are connected to the power management network andinclude the first consumer electronic device.
 2. The power managementapparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to performthe negotiation procedure based on the total power consumption targetlevel and a level of required power for each consumer electronic devicereceived from each consumer electronic device, and wherein each consumerelectronic device is included in the plurality of consumer electronicdevices.
 3. The power management apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to stop a current operation of the firstconsumer electronic device or degrade a quality of the current operationof the first consumer electronic device when the redundant power is notsecured.
 4. The power management apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to stop a current operation of at least oneconsumer electronic device of the plurality of consumer electronicdevice or degrade quality of the at least one consumer electronicdevice.
 5. The power management apparatus of claim 2, wherein the levelof required power for each consumer electronic device is included in aresponse to a power restriction command transmitted to each consumerelectronic device.
 6. The power management apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe control unit is configured to send a message requesting eachconsumer electronic device to transmit a corresponding level of requiredpower.
 7. The power management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlunit is configured to transmit, to the first consumer electronic device,a second power restriction command including a second power consumptiontarget level different from the first power consumption target level,receive, from the first consumer electronic device, a second response tothe second power restriction command, and control power consumption ofthe first consumer electronic device based on the second response. 8.The power management apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit isconfigured to determine the second power consumption target level basedon one of a change in the total power consumption target level for thepower management network and a change in a power consumption of a secondconsumer electronic device connected to the power management network. 9.The power management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit isconfigured to determine the first power consumption target level basedon at least one of a power consumption pattern of the first consumerelectronic device and a current required power of the first consumerelectronic device.
 10. The power management apparatus of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to determine the first powerconsumption target level based on current or projected power consumptionneeds of a second consumer electronic device connected to the powermanagement network.
 11. The power management apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a display unit configured to display information,wherein the controller is further configured to: display informationabout operations being performed by a plurality of consumer electronicdevices via the display unit, select at least one operation among theoperations be performed by the plurality of the consumer electronicdevices, and transmit a control signal for degrading a performancequality of the selected at least one operation or stopping the selectedat least one operation.
 12. A method of managing power used by a powermanagement network within a building or within one or more rooms of abuilding, the method comprising: determining, by a power managementapparatus, a total power consumption target level for the powermanagement network; determining, by the power management apparatus, afirst power consumption target level for a first consumer electronicdevice connected to the power management network, the first powerconsumption target level being equal to or less than the total powerconsumption target level; transmitting, by the power managementapparatus to the first consumer electronic device, a first powerrestriction command including the first power consumption target level;determining, by the power management apparatus, whether the firstconsumer electronic device has sent an acceptance response including anoperating power or a rejection response including a required power basedon a result of comparing the first power consumption target level with alevel of the required power; and supplying, by the power managementapparatus, the operating power to the first consumer electronic devicebased on the acceptance response or performing a negotiation procedurewith a plurality of consumer electronic devices to secure redundantpower in order to increase power to be assigned to the first consumerelectronic device based on the rejection response, wherein the pluralityof consumer electronic devices are connected to the power managementnetwork and include the first consumer electronic device.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein the control unit is configured to perform thenegotiation procedure based on the total power consumption target leveland a level of required power for each consumer electronic devicereceived from each consumer electronic device, and wherein each consumerelectronic device is included in the plurality of consumer electronicdevices.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting,to the first consumer electronic device, a second power restrictioncommand including a second power consumption target level different fromthe first power consumption target level; receiving, from the firstconsumer electronic device, a second response to the second powerrestriction command; and controlling power consumption of the firstconsumer electronic device based on the second response.
 15. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: determining the second powerconsumption target level based on one of a change in the total powerconsumption target level for the power management network and a changein a power consumption of a second consumer electronic device connectedto the power management network.
 16. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: determining the first power consumption target level basedon at least one of a power consumption pattern of the first consumerelectronic device and a current required power of the first consumerelectronic device.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:determining the first power consumption target level based on current orprojected power consumption needs of a second consumer electronic deviceconnected to the power management network.